The Chilling Reality of the Forever War | Is This Humanity's Future?

The engagement of the United States' in the Vietnam War followed the end of World War II in Asia in 1945. Initially the US had minimal involvement but this would change overtime. Over the following decades the US’s involvement increased dramatically. The height of U.S. military engagement in Vietnam was in the spring of 1969, with nearly 550,000 American troops on the ground in the country. By the time the United States was done, in March 1973, over 3 million American citizens had served in Vietnam. Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein was first published in November of 1959. Since then the book has gone on to be praised by some, and criticized by many for its portrayal and some would say glorification of war and the militarization of humanity. The Forever War by Joe Halderman, written 1974, was created as a response to Starship Troopers. It includes staunchly anti war themes, relating to the pointlessness and cruelty of it all. These were of course not the only two works of science fiction by that time to have themes surrounding warfare and the military. Alfred Bester’s 1956 book “The Stars My Destination” though more of a revenge story involves significant conflict and military elements. HG Wells also included elements of warfare and military style conflicts in his works including his most famous 1898’s War of the Worlds. Phillip Francis Nowlan’s 1928 novel, “Armageddon 2419 AD” explores themes of survival and resistance in a post-apocalyptic world, and the fight against imperialism and colonialism. Joe Haldeman's "The Forever War" drew inspiration not just from earlier science fiction, during and before the New Wave, but also significantly from his own military service.Haldeman was drafted into the United States Army in 1967 he served as combat engineer in the Vietnam War. His time in the military as well as the sense of alienation he experienced upon returning to America was the inspiration for this novel. The Forever War explores the sense of alienation often felt by war veterans upon returning home, and the sense that time is slipping away, that emerges when people spend so much time away from home, protecting the ones they love from a distance, only to come back and realize that the world has moved on without them. Joe Haldeman uses a sci-fi universe, containing elements like time dilation, in order to drive these themes and ideas home. The Forever War is the story of the brutal and long lasting war between Humanity and a race of Alien beings known as the Taurans. The Forever War has long been considered a masterwork of science fiction, and I agree, it deserves its legacy. It is also a highly influential work in science fiction and has left its mark on the genre in a significant way. There are certain aspects of the novel that come across as dated, and we’ll get into those later, but in general the forever war was a great read, and its core ideas are presented very well. Keep in mind, this video will have spoilers for the Forever War. 👽 Please consider supporting this channel on Patreon:   / ideasoficeandfire   or PAYPAL - https://paypal.me/QuinnsIdeas?locale.... 🎨 Art & Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1f... 🖼️ Thumbnail: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/gxkLe 🎵 Music:    / @jamezdahlmusic   📚 Get These Books! Affiliate link* https://amzn.to/3A1FrOm Quinn's Discord:   / discord   FOLLOW QUINN ON TWITTER: Twitter:   / ideasofice_fire   I NOW HAVE A SUBREDDIT:   / ideasoficeandfire   Quinn's New Graphic Novel: https://www.quinnhoward.net/theliebeh... Buy Quinn's Comic Books: https://www.quinnhoward.net/shop Quinn's Website: https://www.quinnhoward.net Like me on Facebook!:   / ioiaf   🎥 Mentioned Videos 🎬 Other Playlist Three-Body Playlist:    • Three Body Problem   H.P. Lovecraft Playlist:    • LOVECRAFT   Hyperion Playlist:    • Hyperion   Dune Playlist:    • Dune Lore Explained   Foundation Playlist:    • Isaac Asimov   Feel free to leave a comment like and subscribe! Thanks For Watching!